Chapter 6
At dawn, a Lamborghini engine growled to life in the courtyard.
Noemi’s eyes snapped open. She listened to Alessio’s car fade into the distance, barely exhaling in relief when her door exploded inward.
CRACK
The slap whipped her head sideways, check blazing.
Daniela loomed over the bed, eyes black with rage. “You desperate little bitch! Your husband’s barely cold and you’re already spreading your legs for his brother?”
“What the hell are you-
But she knew. Last night…
The bitter irony twisted in her gut. How pathetic that she, Alessio’s actual wife, had to feel like the mistress when he drunkenly stumbled into her bed. Their marriage certificate, their vows before God–all meaningless now that he played husband to someone else.
“You’ve got it wrong. Last night he-”
“Shut your whore mouth!” Daniela swept an aromatherapy candle off the nightstand. “You think those dancer legs will get you someone else’s husband? Let me show you exactly where you rank!”
The candle shattered. Fragrant oil splashed across the curtains. Flames exploded up the wall.
“Are you fucking crazy?!” Noemi lunged for the door, but Daniela’s nails dug into her wrist.
“Where you running, princess?” Daniela’s smile was arctic. “You think I’m stupid enough to die with trash like you?”
She hissed in Noemi’s ear, “I already called Marco. Let’s see which pussy he saves first.”
Smoke seared Noemi’s lungs as she fought to break free. Footsteps thundered down the hall.
‘Daniela! Noemi!”
Chapter 6
Alessio burst through the flames. For one heartbeat, Noemi saw their wedding night–his vow that she’d always come first.
Without even glancing her way, he swept Daniela into his arms and bolted.
“Alessio…” Her hand reached out uselessly as a burning beam crashed down, trapping her.
Heat blistered her skin. As consciousness slipped away, she saw a ghost–young Alessio backstage after Swan Lake, eyes soft with adoration as he pressed candy into her palm.
If I could choose again, she thought as darkness claimed her, I’d never choose you.
“Noemi? NOEMI!”
Disinfectant burned her nostrils. She forced her eyes open.
Alessio hunched in the bedside chair, three–day stubble darkening his jaw, shadows like bruises
under his eyes.
“Don’t move. The skin grafts are fresh.”
“Skin grafts?!” Her voice came out raw.
His jaw tightened. “You started that fire. Nearly killed Daniela and the baby. You’re lucky I
convinced them it was an accident.”
Laughter tore from her throat until tears streamed. “She says I did it, and you just… believe her?”
“She’s my wife. Who else would I believe?”
My own husband, she thought bitterly, telling me to my face that he’s another woman’s husband. If I hadn’t seen our marriage certificate, I’d believe I really was the mistress.
She ripped out her IV. “Get the fuck out!”
The stand crashed over. He caught her bleeding hand. “Listen, I know this is hard, but in ten months, after the baby-”
Wait ten months? Wait until his child inherits the empire? I tried to die when I thought he was dead, and it was all just his game. Now he dares ask me to wait? He thinks his love gives him infinite forgiveness?
20-22 O
To and yard win Malia Hobidden Lake Death Game, I became His Deadly Enemy’s Bride
Chigler &
She hurled a pillow at his head. “GET OUT! Get the hell out of my life and stay out!”
It bounced off his shoulder, pathetically light.
He stood frozen, Adam’s apple working. Then he turned and left.
After the door clicked shut, she noticed the box on her nightstand.
Butterscotch candies. Her childhood favorite.
She hurled the box at the wall. Candies exploded across the floor.
There’s my heart, she thought, staring at the scattered pieces.
The one you threw away.
The one you shattered yourself.
It can never be whole again.
